景德傳燈錄 22.54

22.54

Master Yuanming, ninth generation of Deshan in Langzhou, Yuanmi. The Master ascended the hall and instructed the assembly, saying, "People of today know of the matter before the monks' hall. What about the matter behind the Buddha hall?" The Master also said, "Deshan has three phrases: one phrase covers heaven and earth; one phrase follows the waves and pursues the currents; one phrase cuts off the multiple flows." At that time a monk asked, "What is the phrase that penetrates the Dharmakāya?" The Master said, "A three-foot staff stirs up the Yellow River." [The monk] asked, "How is it before the hundred flowers bloom?" The Master said, "The waters of the Yellow River flow turbidly." [The monk] asked, "How is it after they bloom?" The Master said, "The tip of the banner pole points to the sky." [The monk] asked, "How is it when one does not clash with the blade of words?" The Master said, "Tiantai and Nanyue." [The monk] said, "What if one proceeds straight like that?" The Master said, "Jiangxi and Hunan." [The monk] asked, "How was it before the Buddha appeared in the world?" The Master said, "In the river, there are only wooden boats." [The monk] said, "How is it after he appeared in the world?" The Master said, "Treading down on this end, that end rises high." [The monk] asked, "When one's own affair is not yet clear, how can one discern it?" The Master said, "On the summit of Mount Sumeru." [The monk] said, "What if one goes straight like that?" The Master said, "The water under your feet, is it shallow or deep?" [The monk] asked, "How was it before Bodhidharma came?" The Master said, "A thousand-year pine hanging upside down." [The monk] said, "How is it after he came?" The Master said, "The vajra-warrior angrily raises his fist." [The monk] asked, "How was it before the Master appeared in the world?" The Master said, "The Buddha hall opens directly south." [The monk] said, "How is it after the Master appeared in the world?" The Master said, "White clouds arise on the mountain." [The monk] said, "Between having appeared and not having appeared, is there any distinction or not?" The Master said, "In a quiet place: svāhā." [The monk] asked, "What is the upādhyāya's house style?" The Master said, "Clouds arise from the Southern Mountain, rain falls on the Northern Mountain." [The monk] asked, "What is the dynamic function of responsive adaptation?" The Master shouted. The monk said, "Is it only this, or is there something else?" The Master then struck him. [The monk] asked, "When great functioning appears before one and observes no rules, how is it?" The Master said, "Breaking an urn in the pitch dark." The monk took a step back. The Master then struck him. [The monk] asked, "How was it before the Buddha appeared in the world?" The Master said, "A monkey tied to an exposed pillar." [The monk] said, "How is it after he appeared in the world?" The Master said, "A monkey enters a cloth sack." [The monk] asked, "What matter were Mañjuśrī and Vimalakīrti discussing together?" The Master said, "Together with you, the three of you bind yourselves without a rope." [The monk] asked, "What is Buddha?" The Master said, "Overgrown brambles as far as the eye can see." [The monk] said, "I do not understand." The Master said, "Labor without merit." [The monk] asked, "When throughout the entire earth a single question cannot be raised, how is it?" The Master said, "Your words have fallen into error." [The monk] said, "The whole assembly clearly sees it." The Master then struck him.